In Switzerland, the baccalaureate school is an important pathway to university education, and the aspirations of families and students to enter baccalaureate school have grown. However, vocational education and training (VET) remains the predominant educational pathway and has a strong lobby. We investigate how in this context, the transition from…

The debate about high school reform is increasingly focused on the role of career-technical education (CTE) in helping to prepare "all" students for success in "both" postsecondary education and the workforce. The stand-alone vocational courses into which high school students with lower academic achievement were often channeled…

Since 2003, Austin Independent School District's (AISD) postsecondary enrollment has increased incrementally. Over the years, the percentages of students enrolling in 2-year institutions appear to account for the overall increase in postsecondary enrollment. After the upward tick in postsecondary enrollment for the Class of 2011, enrollment…

This correlational study samples twelfth grade (senior) students in one central Midwest high school and examines their participation in credit-based transition programs and their changes in educational aspirations. Surveys and community college data are used to collect quantitative data to address six research questions. Using Hossler and…

Of a sample from the National Educational Longitudinal Study who were high school seniors in 1992, nondisadvantaged and vocational track participants were more likely to be employed in 1996 than disadvantaged and nonvocational students. Vocational track participants were more likely to be employed over 20 hours per week. (SK)

A study of adolescents (210 in college prep and 164 in vocational education) indicated that 85% of college prep and 41.5% of vocational students desired professional jobs; vocational students expected their jobs would have lower status; males were less likely to believe they would attain bachelor's degrees and more likely to pursue other…

A series of analyses was performed to determine the factors encompassed in the term "job satisfaction" and the effect of high school vocational education courses on job satisfaction. Data were gathered from the National Longitudinal Survey of Labor Market Experience, Youth Cohort, and the high school transcripts of a subsample of this…

A comparison of the educational and occupational aspirations and expectations of 900 seniors in four Chicago high schools showed that college prep students had the highest educational and occupational aspirations and expectations. Vocational students had the greatest discrepancy between occupational aspirations and expectations, while general…

The formation of educational preferences was analyzed using log-linear modeling and data from a survey of nearly 4,000 applicants for higher education in Finland in the policy context of new vocational-higher education institutions. High status orientation was the main factor determining the choice of university sector. (SLD)

This handbook is designed for student use in exploring the opportunities and challenges available in community colleges or four-year institutions. It could also be used by students interested in attending vocational-technical schools. The table of contents is designed as a checklist so that the booklet can be used as part of decision making. Part…

A study compared the high school, postsecondary, and work experience records of graduates from four different high school programs--academic, general, area vocational technical school (AVTS) and home school vocational programs (HSVOC)--for the years 1984-88. The research was conducted during the 1988-89 school year in the attendance area of the…

This research program examined the effects of schooling on 10 student outcomes selected as indicators of labor market success: four academic test scores (verbal, qualitative, science, and civics); two measures of career expectations (educational and occupational expectations); three attitudinal factors (self-esteem, work values, and sense of…

This paper examines the relationships between high school curriculum (academic, general, and vocational) and students' occupational and educational aspirations in rural schools. The study was conducted in Ohio and then replicated in Southwest Georgia. In Ohio, 767 predominantly white rural senior students completed a questionnaire and the…

A survey of Massachusetts high school students in March 1989 compared and contrasted vocational-technical high school students with other high school students (college preparatory and general studies) in four major areas: decision to enroll in vocational-technical or in other programs, high school experiences, post-high school plans and career…

A national sample of high school seniors completed surveys about their educational plans. Results indicated that educational plans were significantly related to race and religious involvement. The racial difference was more pronounced for males than for females. There was a positive relationship between the likelihood of seeking more education and…